JENIN, Palestinian Territories: Several nations that have backed Israel voiced outrage on Wednesday (May 21) after Israeli troops fired what they called “warning shots” as foreign diplomats visited the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian Authority accused troops of “deliberately” shooting at the delegation near the flashpoint city of Jenin. The Israeli military, already under pressure over its tactics in the Gaza war, said it regretted the “inconvenience”.
AFP footage from Jenin – a frequent target of Israeli military raids – showed the delegation and accompanying journalists running for cover as shots were heard.
A European diplomat said the envoys went to the area to see the destruction caused by Israeli military raids since the Gaza war erupted in October 2023.
The Israeli military said the diplomatic convoy strayed from the approved route and entered a restricted zone.
Troops fired “warning shots” to steer the group away, it said, adding that no one was wounded and expressing regret for the “inconvenience caused”.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s spokesman called the incident “unacceptable”.
“Diplomats who are doing their work should never be shot at, attacked in any way, shape or form. Their safety, their viability, must be respected at all times,” the spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters.
“These diplomats, including UN personnel, were fired at, warning shots or whatever … which is unacceptable.”
COUNTRIES CONDEMN SHOOTING
Several countries that had representatives in the group voiced outrage and demanded an investigation.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas urged Israel to hold those responsible “accountable”.
Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Uruguay summoned Israel’s ambassadors or said they would raise the issue directly.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called the incident “totally unacceptable” and pressed for an “immediate explanation”.
Carney added that Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand has summoned Israel’s ambassador to Ottawa.
Egypt denounced the shooting as a breach of “all diplomatic norms”, while Turkey demanded an immediate investigation.
Turkey’s foreign ministry said: “This attack must be investigated without delay and the perpetrators must be held accountable.”
